Wire reel



April 18, 1933.

E. M. HARRIS WIRE REEL Filed May 9, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 1933. I E, M. HARRIS 1,904,286

WIRE REEL Filed May 9, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG; 5

46 INVENTOR.

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BYQQ

qTTORNEY April 18, 1933. E M HARRIS 1,904,286

WIRE REEL Filed May 9, 1930 3 SheetsShee.t 3

I N VEN TOR.

514/450 W fizzle/a ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 18, 1933 UNITED STATES EDWARD immerses write Application filid May 9,

My invention relates to Wire reels, and the objects of my invention are First, to provide a wire reel which receives and dispenses previously coiled Wire, rope, or

5 the like; Y 1

Second, to provide a wire reel in which one size of reel may receive several different diameters of coiled wire, and possibly any 1 gauge or type of wire, such as insulated or bare wire; A

Third, to provide a Wire reel which eliminates all possibility of entangling the wire; Fourth, to provide a wire reel which is r especially adapted for'use in connection with the stringing of electric power lines, telegraph or telephone lines, particularly when several lines are strung at once, and in such use, greatly reduces the number of men necessary for this work;

' Fifth, to provide a wire reel whlch operates equally well whether the wire is drawn through conduits or strung between poles;

Sixth, to provide a wire reel which not only automatically measures and records the lengths of wire as 1t is used, but Weighs the wire remaining on the reel; 7

1 Seventh, to provide a wire reel having an automatic braking means which is released only when the wire is being withdrawn from the reel, and which acts upon the reelso as to prevent continued rotation thereof when wire is not being drawn from the reel, thus preventing tangling of the wire due to the inertia set up during the withdrawal of the Wire; V

Eighth, to provide a wire reel which is totally enclosed but which may be readily opened up for changing or replenishing the wire; and

Ninth, to provide on the whole a novelly constructed. wire reel which is particularly simple of construction, durable, eflicient in its action, and which will not readily deteriorateor get out of order;

With these and other objects in View as will appearhereinafter; my invention consists of certain novel features of constructiongcombination and arrangement of parts and portions'as will be hereinafter described in detail and particularly setforth in the 1950-. "Serial 1%. 451,011.

appended claims, reference being hadtotlie W accompanying drawings and to ,the "characters of reference thereon, which form a part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is a sectional view taken transversely through the axis of the wire reel with parts and portions shown in elevation or re moved to facilitate the illustration; Fig. 2 is 'a fragmentary bottom View of the stand for supporting the wire reel; Fig, 3 is an M end elevational view of the wirereel "and its stand, with the reel casing shown mounted on its side; Fig. 4 is a transverse, sectional view through 4 4 of 1, with parts and portions inelevation Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectionalview through, 5-5 of Fig. 1 ,with parts and portions in elevation; Fig. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of one of the wire retaining members with parts and portions shown in section; Fig. 7 is an end elevational view thereof; Fig. 8 is a sectional view through 8-8 of Fig. 1, with parts and portions as shown in elevation; Fig. 9 is a plan view of the knob member; Fig..10 is a .sec-

tional view through 1010 of F ig.. 11; Fig.

11 is an enlarged elevational view of the wire reel with the wire cage members and other portions removed, and parts andportions in section to facilitate the illustration; and Fig.

12 isa fragmentary sectional view through 12-12 of Fig. 9. 1

Similar characters of reference ref er .to similar parts and portions throughout the several views of the drawings. p v

Casing 1, cover 2, reel support 3, reel base 4, wire cage bases 5, retaining plates 6, wire cage lids 7, hinge pins 8, arm members 9, springs 10, sleeve 11, collar 12, link. members 13, handle 14, key 15, connecting bars 16, catch lever 17, pin 18, spring 19, latch member 20, stirrup 21, brake shoe 22, brake rod 23,- guide 24, b'rake lever 25, brake lever pin 26, brake tension spring 27, adjusting screw 28, indicator arm 29, brake lever roller 30, lower roller 31, yoke member. 32, support bracket 33, tension spring 34, adjusting screw upper roller 36, supporting bracket 37, driving gear 38, driven gear 39, arm member 40, counter member 41, reinforcing plate 42, wire guide 43, retaining plate 44, reinforcing plate 45,

spring housing 46, thumbscrews 47, shank member 48, pedestal 49, collar 50, cap plate 51, adjusting nut 52, weighing spring 53, equalizing gear 54, extensible feet members 55, and indicating lever 56 constitute the principal parts and portions of my wire reel.

The casing 1 is preferably formed of sheet metal, and is cylindrical except for one side which is offset downwardly, forming a. base portion 1a. The base portion 1a is connected to the cylindrical portion 16 of the casing by angularly extending forward and rear walls 10 and 1d, respectively. The one end of the casing is closed, while the other end thereof is open.

' A cover member 2 conforming in shape to the casing 1 and having an overlapping peripheral rim 2a, is hinged to the base portion 1a along the open side of the casing. Any suitable clasp means, not shown, may be used to hold the cover firmly in place over the end of the casing 1.

Mounted on the cover 2 by means of a H flanged base portion 3a, in centered relation to the cylindrical portion 1?) of the casing 1, is a reel support 3. Centered on the base portion 3a, and extending into the casing 1, is a spindle portion 36, upon whichis rotatably mounted the hub portion 4a of the reel base 4. The end of the sleeve portion 4a adjacent the flanged portion 3a is enlarged radially, forming a drum portion 4?), which overhangs said base portion 3a, and the periphery of which extends into contiguous relation with the cover 2. Extending radially from the drum portion 4?), in spaced relation to the cover 2, are a plurality of bifurcated arm members 40.

A wire cage is provided for each of the radially extending arms or spokes 40. Each wire cage comprises a base 5 the inner periphery of which is substantially semi-cylindrical. Each wire cage base 5 is provided with a shoe portion 50, the axis of which is at right angles to the cylindrical portion 4a. Each shoe portion is provided with a downwardly projecting ridge 50, which fits in the slot 4d formed between the members of each bifurcated spoke 40. This ridge 5c prevents twisting of the reel cage base 5 relative to the spoke 40. Secured to the ridge 50, so as to engage the under sides of the bifurcated spokes, on either side of the slots 4d, is a retaining plate 6.

A wire cage lid having a substantially semicylindrical inner periphery 7a, complements the wire cage base 5. The rear side of each wire cage base 5 is provided with hinge bearing portions 5d, and each lid 7 is provided with corresponding hinge bearings 75, through which extends a hinge pin 8.

Secured to each lid 7 abovethe hinge end,

is an inwardly extending arm member 9. which extends inwardly towards the hub of the base member 4, and which will be described in more detail hereinafter.

Between the hinge bearings 5d and 7b, and coiled around the hinge pin 8, is a spring 10, an end of which fits in a hole in the arm 9 and tends to raise the lid 7.

The forward sides of the wire cage are provided with tangentially extending lip portions 56 and 70. These lip portions extend towards each other and into contiguous relation with each other, as shown best in Figs. 4 and 6. The lip portions taper to a rounded blunt point. The lip portion of each cage is preferably made of resilient material so that it may give sufficiently to allow wire to pass out of the cage.

Fitted over the hub portion 4a, of the reel base 4 is a sleeve 11, which is retained in abutting relation with the drum portion 4?) by means of a collar 12 secured to the extended portion of the spindle 3b. In slightly spaced relation to the face of the drum portion 76 the sleeve 11 is provided with a flange 11a.

The flange 11a is pierced by a plurality of holes which receive pins 13a mounted at the one end of link members 13. The link members 13 extend outwardly from the sleeve 11 towards the several wire cages. Each wire cage base 5 is provided with an inwardly extending arm portion 5/", which is in substantial alinement with the arm 9. The extended end of each arm 57 is adapted to be con nected by means of a pin 13?) to the extended end of one of the link members '13. By rotating the sleeve 11 the several cages are simultaneously moved outwardly or inwardly upon the spokes 40.

Slidably mounted on the sleeve 11, is an annular handle 14. The sleeve 11 is provided with an axially extending semi-cylindrical channel therein, which receives a key 15. The handle 14 is provided with a correspondingly shaped channel, which fits over the pro- I truding part of the key so that rotation of the handle 14 will cause rotation of the sleeve 11, as shown in Figs. 4 and 10.

The end of the handle 14 towards the base of the sleeve 11 is provided with a double flange 14a. The double flange 14a is provided with holes therethrough in alinement with the holes in the flanges 11a. Connecting bars 16 fit between the members of the double flange 14a, and are pivotally secured thereto by pins 16a which fit in the holes in said flange. The connecting bars 16 extend outwardly from the flange 14a, and each is upturned at its extended end and provided with a ball position 166.

Each arm member 9 is provided with an elongated socket portion 9a along its underside, which fits over the ball portion 166 at the end of the corresponding'connecting bar 16, and which allows the corresponding lid i to rotate on its hinge, while said socket remains in position upon saidball portion. Also, the connecting bars may extend at any desired angle relative to the socket portions 9a and still co-act therewith.

The connecting bars 16 are equal in length to the link members 13 so that radial movements of the ends of the connecting bars and link are equal, thereby enabling the ball portion 166 to retain its position underneath the corresponding arm member 9." I

' It i's desirable to prevent the several wire cages from shifting inwardly, that is, towards the hub .of the reel support, except when shifted by means of the handle 14. Formed on the outer periphery of the hub portion 4a of the reel base 4, are a plurality of longitudinally extending grooves or channels which form a plurality of teeth 46, as shown best in F igs.'10 and 11. The upper portion of the handle 14, that is, theside towards the extended end of the sleeve 11, is enlarged, forniing a grip portion 14?), which enables the handle tobe readily grasped by the hand. The side wall of the handle between its en larged portion 14b and the double flange 14a is provided with an opening 140.

' Hugging the handle 14, is a catch lever 17, which is rotatably mounted intermediate its ends on a pin 18 mounted opposite the opening 140, adjacent the one margin thereof. The one arm 17 a of the catch lever 17 fits in the slot 140, and is provided at its extended end with an inwardly extending catch portion 17 b, which extends through a slot 11b formed in the sleeve 11, and registering with the opening 140, as shown best in Fig. 10. This slot allows access to the teeth 46, which are engaged by the catch portions 17 7). A spring 19 wound around thepin 18 yieldably holds the catch portion 17?) in engagement with the teeth 46. I

The other arm 170 of thecatch lever extends a short distance past the marginof the enlarged portion 14b of the handleso thatit may be readily pressed inwardly by the fingers or thumb and release the catch portion 176 from the teeth 46'.

The teeth 46 and catch portion 17?) are arranged so that said catch portion slides over said teeth when the knob 14 is turned so as to shift the wire cages outwardly, thus the wire cages are normally locked against inward movement, and are released from such locked condition by depressing the arm 17a of the catch lever.

Formed in the side wall of the handle14, opposite from the extended end of the arm portion 170, is an axially extending slot 14d, which receives a shank 20a of a latch member 20. The shank 20a of said latch member is in the form of a leaf spring, and is secured at its lower end to the handle 14, and is held from the base of the channel 140? by means of a; spacer 20b. The upper end of the shank 20a is provided with a catch portion 200 adapted to overhang the sleeve portion 11, and engage the upper extended end thereof, or the collar 12, when the handle is moved to its outer-position, shown in Figs. 4 and 11. This end of the latch member is provided with a suitable thumb 'eng'ageable portion 20d, so that the catch portion 20b thereof may be shifted clear of its overhangingposition.

As the several springs 10 tend to raise'the lids 7 of the-wire cages and consequently cause downward movement of the arms '9, it will be seen that the tendency of the handle 14 is to assume the dotted position shown in Fig. 11. Thus, axial movement of the handle 14'o-perates the several lids 7 simultaneously. 1 v

All the mechanism thus described, with the exception of the casing 1 and cover'2, constitutes the wire reel, and is supported entirely by the cover 2. In addition, the spin-- dle 3501? the support 3 may extend beyond the handle 4 so as to ride-in a stirrup 21 mounted in'the casing 1, as shown in Fig. 4.

The drum 4?) between the spokes 40 and the cover 2, forms a brake drum portion 4;, which is engageable by an arcuate brake shoe 22 at the side thereof facing the base 1a of the casing. The brake shoe 22 is secured to the one end of a brake rod 23 in the form of a flat strip; saidbrake rod is held in slidablerelation contiguous to the cover 2 by means of a guide 24. The end of the brake rod 23 stops short-of the lower'end 1a of the casing, and is engageable by a cam portion 250015 a brake lever 25. The brake lever 25 is journalled at a point a slight distance forwardly of the brake rod 23by means of a pin 26 secured to the cover The brake lever is provided with an arm 25?; extending into contiguous relation with the bottom 1a of the casing, to which isattached the one end of the spring 27 The other or rear end of the spring is secured to a looped end 28a of a polygonal shaped adjustingscrew 28. The adjusting screw 28 extends through a reinforced portion 26 in the rim of the cover 2, and'is provided with-a wing nut 28?) or the like.

Secured to the adjusting screw 28, adja cent its looped end 28a, is an indicator arm 29, which extends out through a'slOt provided in the cover 2, and is provided with a pointer adapted toregister with suitable markings or the like provided on the outer side of the cover 2. This indicator forms a means of determining the pressure'normally applied to the brake drum.

The lever 25 is provided with a relatively long'arm 250 which extends contiguous to the cover 2 and towards the forward end 10 of the casing 1. At its forward end, saidarm 25/; supports a roller '30, which extends 'into the casing 1.

Between the roller 30 and theforward end 1?) ofthe casing, with its upper. surface approximately horizontally-disposed relative to its the roller 30, is a lower roller 31. The lower roller 31 is supported at its ends by arms 32a of a yoke member 32.

The yoke member 32 is substantially U- shaped and its cross portion 32b connecting the arms 32a, extends between said roller 31 andthe forward end of the casing 1, and forms a bearin which journals upon a pin 33a, supported between a pair of brackets 33 extending rearwardly from the forward side 1?) of the casing 1.

The yoke 32 is provided with a downwardly extending arm 320 positioned intermediate the arms 32a. The arm 320 is adapted to be engaged by a spring 34. The other or forward end of the spring 34 is engaged by the inner ends of an adjusting screw 35, mounted in the forward side 1?) of the casing 1.

The adjusting screw is provided with a suitable lock nut 35a. Rearward movement of the arm 32 tends to raise the roller 31.

Above the, roller 31 is an upper roller 36. The upper roller 36 is mounted on a rod 370; extending between bracket portions of a bracket 37 extending rearwardly from the forward side 10 of the casing.

Mounted on the same shaft with the roller 36 is a driving gear 38, which meshes with the driven gear 39. The driven gear 39 is provided with an eccentrically located pin 39a, which is straddled by the bifurcated ends 40a of an arm member 40, which operates a counter member 41 adapted to register feet or similar units of length.

The forward side 10 of the casing is provided with reinforcing plate 42. This reinforcing plate has an opening 42a therethrough in the form of a zone of a sphere. This opening 420; is adapted to receive a semispherical end portion 43a of a wire guide 43. The semi-spherical portion 43a is held in position by means of a retaining plate 44, also having an opening 44a therein in the form of a zone of a sphere, and which is secured to the reinforcing plate 42.

From the semi-spherical portion 43a, said guide continues outwardly, forming a stem portion 43b. The wire guide 43 is provided with an axially extending opening 430 therethrough which is flared at its ends, as shown best in Fig. 1.

The wire WV from the coil of wire, not shown, supported in the wire cages passes underneath the brake roller 30 between the upper and lower rollers 36 and 31, and out through the guide 43.

Secured to the base 1a of the casing, below the center of the wire reel, is a reinforcing plate 45. Below this plate, on the outer side of the casing 1, is a spring housing 46, having earportions 46a on opposite sides, through which extend thumbscrews 47, which secure said spring housing 46 to the casing. Depending from the secured end of the housing 46 is a cylindrical shell portion 46b. Secured to the base of the housing 46 and extending downwardly in centered relation to the shell portion 46b, is a shank member 48.

The lower end of the shank 48 extends into a centrally located sleeve portion 49a of a pedestal member 49. The upper end of the sleeve portion 49a is constricted so as to fit snugly around the shank v48, as shown best in Fig. 1. Below said constricted portion, the shank 48 is also constricted and receives a collar 50 which retains the shank within the sleeve 49a.

The extended lower end of the shank 48 is provided with a cap plate '51, which holds the collar in place.

The pedestal 49 extends outwardly from the sleeve portion 49a intermediate the ends thereof, then downwardly past the lower end of said sleeve portion, forming an annular base 49?) in concentric relation with said sleeve.

Above the outwardly extending portion of the pedestal said sleeve 49a is externally threaded and its outer periphery receives an adjusting nut 52.

A weighing spring 53 extends between the adjusting nut 52 and the base of the spring housing 46. The cylindrical portion 461) thereof encloses said spring. The spring thus carries the weight of the casing and cover, reel mechanism and wire supported thereby.

J ournalled around the lower end of the sleeve portion 49a, within the housing portion 490 of the pedestal, is a double equalizer gear 54.

Each gear portion of the double equalizer gear 54 is adapted to engage on opposite sides a pair of rack portions 55a of extensible feet members 55 which extend in opposite directions through suitable sleeve portions 49d formed in the walls of the housing portion 490 of the pedestal members. Inward or outward movement of any one of the feet members 55, by reason of their interlocking relations with the gear 54, causes a corresponding movement of the others. The feet members 55 greatly increase the stability of the pedestal.

Mounted within the housing portion 490 of the pedestal contiguous to the upper side and adjacent the sleeve 49a, is an indicating lever 56 which is provided with a hookshaped arm 56a adapted to extend underneath the sleeve portion 49a and engage the cap plate 51 secured to the end of the shank member 48.

The pedestal member 49 is provided with an areuate extension 496 adapted to receive the other arm 56?) of said lever. This arm is adapted to project through a slot 49) provided in said extension, and is provided with a pointer 560 at its extended end adapted to register with a scale formed along one margin of the slot 49f, as shown in Fig. 4. Thus, by adjusting the nut 52, so that when the reel is empty, thepointer 560 registers zero, the weightof'any coil of wire placed in the reel may be readily ascertained. Of course, where greater accuracy is desired, a more complex weighing arrangement may be substituted in the place of the weighing lever 56. Operation of my wire reel is as follows:

l/Vhen desiring to place a coil of wire in the reel, the cover2is opened until it extends at approximately right angles to the casing 1, whereupon the latch 20 is shifted to release the handle, allowing the handle to move to the dotted position shown in Fig. 11. This movement allows the lids 7 of the wire cages to rotate about ninety degrees. Before or after this is done, the handle 14 is rotated until the inner margins of the wire cages are slightly. within the inner marginsof the coil of wire to be placed therein. The wire is then placed in a cage, the handle 14; is then drawn out until the latch 20 functions, in

whichposition the lips 56 and 7 are in contiguous relation. The handle 14 is then rota'ted'until the inner margins of the wire cages bear against the inner portion of the coil of wire. The end of the wire is then fed underneath the roller between the rollers 31 and 36, and out through the guide 43. The cover is then closed to the position shown in Fig. 1, and the reel is ready for operation.

Of course, before reeling out the wire the counter mechanism 41, aswell as the scale mechanism, is read, and the braking spring 27 is set atthe desired tension. When the extended end of the wire is pulled, the arm25c ofthe lever is raised, releasingthe tension of the brake shoe 22 against the drum and allowing the reelto rotate.

As soon as the tension on the wire is released, the: spring 27 actuates the brake shoe and prevents the wire. reel from continuing to revolve. The lips 56 and 7c allow the wire coil, one strand at'a time, to pass out as the wire reel is rotated.

It is sometimes desirable to mount the reel in the position shown in Fig. 3. This is done by removing the thumbscrews i7, turning the reel over on its cover 2-, and screwing the thumbscrews into suitable threaded holes provided in the flange portion 3a. of the support a It will be noted that the guide 43 may be shifted in any desired direction so that the position of the reel does not have to be changed even though the, wire is to be drawn in one of several directions.

Though I haveishown and described aparticular construction, combination and 'arrangement, of parts, and portions, I do not wish to be limitedto this particular construction, combination and arrangement, but desire to include in the scope of my invention the construction, combination and arrangement substantially as set forth in the appended claims.

ing said reel mechanism, guide means for receiving'an end of said coil ofwire, a release means for said brake means disposed between said guide means andsaid coil of wire, said guide means adapted to cause said wire to pass said: release means, wherebysaid wire upon the application of tension thereon, actuates said release means, said reel mechanism comprising a plurality of radially disposed wire receiving cages substantially encircling spaced apart portions of the annulus formed by said coil of Wire, means forshifting said cages radially, and: mea'ns'for opening said cages.

2. In a device of the class described, a casing, a cover therefor, a reel' mechanism for receiving a previouslywsound coil of wire revolublymounted uponsaid cover, brake means normally engagingsaid reel; mechanism, a guide tube supported by said casing and forming a universal joint therewith, said guide tube arranged to receive an end ofsaid coil of wire, a release means-in said-casin arranged toride upon saidwire and shiftable, so as to release said brakes, upon the application oftension to said wire, said reel'mechanism comprisinga plurality of radiallydisposed Wirejreceiving cages substantiallyencircling spaced apart portions of the annulus formed bysaid coil of wire, means for shifting said cages radially, andmeans for opening said cages. r

i 3; Ina wirereel, a revoluble base member, wirerecei-ving cages-supported by, and radially shiftable upon, said b'ase member, each of said cages comprising a base portion, and a complementing lid portion arranged toreceive acoilof wire, and yieldablecoacting lips extending from said base portion and said lid no portion forming a yieldable aperture for releasing the unwinding turn of said wire froin a i agem so ultane us y, hiftin aid se and me n f s mu ta usly 115 pe ing. an de re a d ses. w reby. a previously wound coil 'of'wiremay be. insertedfih lh I. I

4;. In a wire reel, a. revoluble base member,

lu lity f. Spa edap rt ire ece ing cages mounted thereon,arranged toreceive' in e mmqna q lqt W re upp rt h ame in nQentr e at n. o; th axis; of; said; base member, each. of said: cage's zcomprising-a base portion and a yieldable complementing lid portion. arranged to encircle saidc'oihof'wire, said: li portion. forming. with. said. baseportion a yieldable apertureforreleasing thei n; winding turn of-said coa t wire, and means for simultaneously opening and; closing said 1'30 cages, whereby a previously wound coil of wire may be inserted therein.

5. In a wire reel, a revoluble base member, a plurality of spaced apart radially shiftable 5 wire receiving cages mounted thereon arranged to receive in common a coil of wire and support the same in concentric relation to the axis of said base member, each of said cages comprising a base portion and a yieldable lid portion arranged to encircle a coil of wire, said lid portion forming with said base portion a yieldable aperture for releasing the unwinding turn of said wire from said cage, an axially shiftable and rotatable handle means mounted on the hub of said base member, and link means extending therefrom to each of said cages, whereby said handle means, when rotated, causes said cages to shift radially, and whereby said handle means, when shifted axially, causes an opening or closing of said cages.

6. In a wire wheel, a revoluble base member, wire receiving cages supported by, and radially shiftable upon said base member, means for simultaneously shifting said cages, mechanism for simultaneously opening and closing said cages, whereby a previously wound coil of wire may be inserted-therein, a handle common to said meansand mechanism, a brake drum forming a part of said base member, a brake means normally engaging said brak-e drum, guide means for receiving an end of said coil of wire, and a brake release means engageable by said wire, whereby said release means is actuated upon application of tension to said wire.

7 7 In a wire reel, a revoluble base member, wire receiving cages supported by, and radially shiftable upon said base member, each 1 9 )f said ca es com risin a base ortion and a yieldable complementing lid portion arranged to receive a coil of wire, said lid portion and base portion forming therebetween a yieldable aperture for releasing the unwinding turn of said wire from said cage, means for simultaneously shifting said cages, means for simultaneously opening and closing said cages, whereby a previously wound coil of wire may be inserted therein, a brake drum forming a part of said base member, a brake means normally engaging said brake drum, guide means for receiving an end of said coil of wire, and a brake release means engageable by said wire, whereby said release means is actuated upon application of tension to said wire.

8. In a wire reel, a revoluble base member, a plurality of spaced apart wire receiv ing cages mounted thereon arranged to receive in common a coil of wire and support the same in concentric relation to the axis of said base member, each of said cages comprising a base portion and a complementing lidportion arranged to encircle said coil of 6. wire, and lip means for releasing the unwinding turn of said coil of wire, and means for simultaneously opening and closing said cages, whereby a previously wound coil of wire may be inserted therein, a brake drum forming a part of said base member, a brake means normally engaging said brake drum, guide means for receiving an end of said coil of wire, and a brake release means engageable by said wire, whereby said release means is actuated upon application of tension to said wlre.

9. In a wire reel, a revoluble base member, a plurality of spaced apart radially shiftable wire receiving cages mounted thereon arranged to receive in common a coil of wire and support the same in concentric relation to the axis of said base member, each of said cages substantially enclosing a section of said coil of wire, a rotatable handle means mounted on the hub of said base member, link means extending therefrom to each of said cages, whereby rotation of saidhan- .dle means causes simultaneous radial shiftin of said cages, a brake drum forming a part of said base member, a brake means normally engaging said brake drum, guide tube for receiving an end of said coil of wire, and a brake release means engageable by said wire, whereby said release means is actuated uponapplication of tension to said wire.

10. In a wire reel, a revoluble base member. a plurality of spaced apart radially shiftable wire receiving cages mounted thereon arranged to receive in common a coil of wire and support the same in concentric relation to the axis of said base member, each of said vcages comprising a base portion and a yieldable lid portion arranged to encircle a coil of wire, said lid portion and base portion forming therebetween a yieldable aperture for releasing the unwinding turn of said wire from said cage, an axially shift-able and rotatable handle means mounted on the hub of said base member, link means extending therefrom to each of said cages, whereby said handle means, when rotated, causes said cages to shift radially, and whereby said handle means, when shifted axially, causes an opening or closing of said cages, a brake drum forming a part of said base member, a brake means normally engaging said brake drum, guide tube for receiving an end of said coil of wire, and a brake release means engageable by said wire, whereby said release means is actuated upon application of tension to said wire. I V

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand at SanDiego, California, this 22nd day of April, 1930.

EDWARD ,M. HARRIS, 

